Magnesium anodes are the most common sacrificial anodes used for the protection of buried structures in the soil, such as oil and gas pipelines, bottom and external body of storage tanks. Magnesium anodes are also used for the internal protection of water heaters and water tanks, heat exchangers, condensers and other structures that are in contact with water and operate at high temperatures.
Zinc anodes are used to protect structures submerged in fresh or saline water. The main use of these anodes are in cathodic protection of the hull and balance tanks of ships and vessels, internal protection of storage tanks and external protection of submarine pipelines, etc. However, zinc anodes are used to protect buried structures in the soil, such as oil and gas pipelines, the bottom and the external body of storage tanks where soil resistivity is lower and their use is more cost-effective than magnesium anodes.
The main use of aluminum anodes is for cathodic protection in seawater. However, these anodes can also be used in rare cases in fresh water or soil. Aluminum anodes are mainly used for cathodic protection of jetties piles, jackets, internal protection of storage tanks, external protection of submarine pipelines, etc.
